EXCLUSIVE | 'Not Consistent': Ex-PAK Bowler Questions Pandya's Selection Over Rinku In India's T20WC Squad

Rohit Sharma-led Team India is all set to travel to the USA & West Indies for the 9th edition of the T20 World Cup. The IPL is underway and the current season has produced many talents who can go on and represent the Indian Team in the future. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on April 30, 2024 announced India's 15 member squad for the upcoming ICC event. The apex cricketing body had to endure a lot of backlash for including Rinku Singh in the travelling reserves. Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria sat down with Sports Now for an exclusive chat on Rinku Singh's exclusion, Virat Kohli's strike rate issues and the PCB's management. The excerpts of the interview are mentioned below.

A. People nowadays always look for something to go viral and no better way to do it than speaking up against Virat Kohli. Let's not forget that he has been serving Indian cricket for a very long time now. He is one of the finest batsmen that India has produced and has scored plenty of runs all over the world. People talking about Virat's strike rate should understand that you also need to hold one and at occupy the crease. He has a huge responsibility of the team, a role that he has played very well for a very long time now. I'd like to urge that his critics better see his stats. In my opinion, people should be confident about his batting abilities. He is Team India's backbone. Imagine Jaiswal and Rohit getting out cheaply in a World Cup match, who would you pick to play the role of a sheet anchor? without any doubt, it has to be Kohli.

A. India has a reputation of producing quality cricketers. In recent times Yashasvi Jaiswal and Angkrish Raghuvanshi are the prime examples of it. Mayank Yadav too has surprised everyone with his raw pace and so has Abhishek Sharma with his power hitting capabilities. As far as Rinku's case is concerned, I also feel that he should've been a part of India's T20 WC squad. If I take the ongoing IPL's performances in consideration then Hardik Pandya should've been the one to miss out. He hasn't shown consistency at all. You already have Shivam Dube who has been doing well for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Overall the squad looks good, but Dube and Rinku would've been a powerful combination for India down the order.

A. Everybody has their own model that they stick to and eventually earn success. PCB has a different take on it, they always try to copy other boards based on their success and in the end mess everything up. There s nothing such as coaching in international cricket. It is all about mentoring to be honest. Pakistan's white ball and red ball team are almost the same, why do they need separate coaches? There should always been one coach who mentors the player in a better manner. Different coaches will pass on different instructions and advises to the same set of players and it will only get confusing for the individual playing the game.

India were knocked out from the semi-finals of the 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup after being defeated by England by 10 wickets. India clash against Pakistan on June 9, 2024 which will grab a lot of eyeballs from all across the globe.